by CATHARINE SKIPP
The HOPE (Helping Others Through Pro Bono Efforts) Public Interest Resource Center is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a goal of establishing 25 funds of $25,000 to benefit Miami Law students. The donations will support the HOPE Public Interest and Miami Scholars Fund. Since its inception, HOPE has been dedicated to promoting public interest work and social justice through legal education and advocacy.
Over the past quarter century, HOPE has provided countless opportunities for students to engage in meaningful public service work and gain hands-on experience in the legal field.
Since 1998, the program has provided 132,120 hours of service locally, nationally, and internationally by its 367 HOPE Fellows. Since 2014, 134 Summer Public Interest Fellows have served the South Florida community. Over 350 volunteers started the 2023-24 school year by serving 19 agencies across Miami-Dade County through HOPE Day of Service.
Miami Law students logged 15,000 pro bono hours in 2022-23 and won the MVP Pro Bono Champion Award from The Florida Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Law School Challenge in 2020 and 2022.
Assistant Dean Marni Lennon serves as director of the program, one of the few dedicated deans of public interest and pro bono at a U.S. law school.
“It is remarkable to celebrate 25 Years of HOPE, marking generations of students, lawyers, and alumni working together to promote access to justice,” said Lennon. “This anniversary is a testament to Miami Law’s commitment to fostering community and cultivating a pro bono ethic in our graduates and the profession.”
On top of career and course advising to law students interested in social justice and public interest, HOPE also serves as the hub for public interest and community engagement for Miami Law students, offering an array of advocacy initiatives and service opportunities to inspire a new generation of public interest lawyers.
Some of HOPE’s signature programs and projects include the Miami Scholars Public Interest Program, HOPE Fellows Program, Summer Public Interest Fellowship Programs, and the Pro Bono and Community Service Challenges.
Ways to Support HOPE’S 25th Anniversary Celebration Join the Challenge
Help HOPE reach its goal of establishing 25 GIFTS of $25,000 to benefit Miami Law students.
All donations will support the HOPE Public Interest and Miami Scholars Fund.
HOPE Giving Levels
- HOPE 25th Anniversary Hero—$25,000*
- Champion—$10,000+
- Leader—$5,000 – $9,999
- Advocate—$2,500 – $4,999
- Visionary—$1,000 – $2,499
- Innovator—$500 – $999
- Friend of HOPE—to $499
*For gifts over $25,000, please contact Marni Lennon at mlennon@law.miami.edu.
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